Animal cruelty, climate change, monoculture...the list goes on.

[ChrissyStar]

I feel hopeless and have decided not to have children because of the state of the world (why would I wish to bring a child into this when I myself, do not like to live here?). Does anyone else feel the same?

[Birdy77]

Hello everyone 😊

Unbeliever, I agree, we live in a very strange age.

Pepper, thank you for your truly lovely reply xo

I just would like to clarify that I agree with you Pepper, that compromise is the way to go. Lasting, permanent change is made up of compromises.

I also want to clarify that I truly feel for the farmers and their plight as well. I didn't make that clear, although I thought I had (character limit, I get it UB!).

I have friends and family who are farmers. I don't want them to be struggling, it can lead to dreadful, terrible consequences. My compassion extends to them as well.

My outpouring above was from my idealistic (not realistic) heart. Pepper your sensible points are from a realistic perspective and I agree with them.

Just needed to clarify, I am so sorry I did not express my thoughts as clearly as I would have liked. My apologies to all.

🌻birdy

[Peppermintbach]

Hi birdy (and a wave to all),

Seriously, please don’t apologise. I feel there’s nothing to be “sorry” for.

Perhaps I was the one who wasn’t clear in my expression. I’m sorry birdy, my bad...

I know how close to heart this topic is to you and of course your points are valid and your voice is 100% important. Fundamentally, as I said, I agree with your points (yours too, DB)...if we really want to get down to it, my own ideals align to yours to a large extent.

But for better or for worse, I’ve learnt to reign in my idealism and bring forth my pragmatism (sometimes at least). A “practical idealist” if there ever was such a thing 😉 I try to see a birds-eye view as much as I can, which often means making necessary compromises, and trying to walk a mile in another person’s shoes...not always easy to do but I find it helpful...

Sorry, I hope that didn’t come across as a lecture (because that’s not my intention) but it’s just something that I’ve learnt from personal experience. I’m extremely aware of the complexity of this whole issue(s), and I’m also aware that many of us on this thread are on the minority side of an issue, which is why I often opt for a softer approach. Hope I’m making sense...

Anyway, I hope that didn’t upset either of you.

kindness and warmth to all,

Pepper xoxo

[Peppermintbach]

Sorry, I forgot to add...I hear you...I do understand that you both feel for the plight of farmers.

I feel like now I’m the one being unclear. Lol

Kindness to all...

Pepper xoxo

[Unbeliever]

I also do not mean to sound apathetic or indifferent to any of the farmers.

I do feel empathy towards them as individuals and their families... there are very few forms of suffering that I enjoy witnessing. I am sympathetic to their plight and for the animals they are in charge of.

And I am well aware that the suicide rate for people living on the land is on average far higher than in other areas of our society.

It's just that I find myself in the position that I am no longer able to bear any more burdens of guilt on the behalf of others on top of what I already carry already.

And after a lifetime of doing so... I don't believe it is right for anyone to expect me to.

[Ggrand]

Hello, Peppy, UB, Birdy and all.

I want to apologise to you all for stirring up your sadness, emotions around the farming industry..l didn't mean to do that. I'm really sorry..

The farmers I'm talking about are are in my area, they are all free range farmers and care for their animals a lot and only sell enough of their livestock to support their families, these are not the huge farms that the animals are bred to be live transported overseas, I'm really sorry if I gave you that idea...

I only mentioned this because I find it wrong that a bush walking trail or a beautification of a corner, or extensions on a bowling club etc....gets preference over people....

kind and caring thoughts,

Grandy........

[Birdy77]

Hello Grandy 😊

I assure you, dear Grandy, that you have done nothing of the sort.

I went off on a tangent about much broader issues than the local issue you brought up.

I totally agree with your point about the skewed prioroties in your local council area Grandy.

Please do not apologise, I'm glad you voiced your thoughts and concerns.

You have a compassionate heart and I am glad you spoke up.

Hello Pepper, I agree with you about all that you said.

Caring thoughts to all,

🌻birdy

[Peppermintbach]

Hi ChrissyStar and all,

birdy: Thank you so much for your very understanding and gracious reply. I really hope my reply didn’t come across as some kind of lecture. I’m very sorry if it did...I’m feeling bad about it now but that’s my own fault. Sorry...

I think you have a beautiful heart that cares very deeply for animals. So I know your posts all come from a deep well of empathy and love. Never stop being the wonderful, thoughtful, patient and compassionate person you are...if anything, the world needs more people like you...xoxo

UB: I know you care. I never thought that you were “apathetic” or “indifferent” to farmers. I’m sorry, I probably wasn’t very clear in my posts...

I get what you’re saying and I feel what you’re saying is understandable. Your heart is in the right place, and I know the environment and animal welfare means a lot to you

Grandy: I think birdy replied to you perfectly so there’s little that I can add 🙂 I also don’t feel you owe anyone here an apology. Absolutely nothing to be sorry for...

You have not said or done anything “wrong”...please don’t stress or worry about it 😉

As birdy said, you just wanted to speak up about the skewed priorities of your local council as you’re a very caring person. Keep on speaking up. I think it’s good to see this passionate side of you surfacing...

Kindness and warmth to all...

Pepper xoxo

[Birdy77]

Dear Pepper,

Thank you so much for your heartfelt and beautiful post.

Please shake any bad feelings you had from your shoulders. I wish for you to have a beautiful, peaceful day with only good feelings in your heart my friend.

That goes for everyone 😊

Love,

🌻birdy

[Just Sara]

Hi everyone;

Karen, I think it's 'grand' of you to talk about what's happening in your neck of the woods. I totally get that helpless feeling so thanks for bringing it up. Could I suggest either attending a council meeting or send in a written submission voicing your concerns, and maybe offering an idea or solution? Being heard might help you feel better. Just take care of that tender heart of yours ok. xo

Birdy; I so appreciate the guts it took to out what you perceive as an unpopular stand on animal cruelty. I think you'll find though, most who don't financially benefit from such practices would agree with you. I most definitely do; we might disagree on a solution, but hey, at least we'll be talking. 🙂

When people can't find solutions to really big problems, some tend to turn off and leave it to others due to feeling helpless. I sort of get this too. Being brave and demanding to be heard is an amazing and precious quality in you; don't ever lose that. The right people do listen. xo

UB; sometimes a rant is just what the Dr ordered, then other times being an interested communicator with active listening skills is more beneficial. I love your passion and commitment. xo

Pepper; as always, considering everyone's views even if you disagree or are confused; the interested and caring peace keeper. I love this about you. I'm really looking forward to reading more about your opinions and ideas. Getting to know you...xo

Recently on tv I watched as every household in one street of a Nordic town were putting up solar panels as a community driven project. They're over the moon their locality's contributing and benefiting as a group instead of just individuals and see it as a huge success; I do too. 🙂

Being solution driven is a nice way to be. I really like community development projects especially. There's strength in numbers, and seeing faces light up with pride and achievement is pretty nice too.

If I could, I'd encourage the same thing in my community. Not being able to financially cope though makes me an unsuitable advocate. I'm doing what I can to get people's minds back in order and that's pretty special too.

We're all amazing people..

Sez xo

[Peppermintbach]

Hi Chrissystar and all,

birdy: thank you for your very reassuring and kind post. You really are a beautiful person...really and truly...hugs and caring thoughts to you.

As a loose aside, but I suppose it’s relevant to this thread...I think that I’ll be giving up dairy products. To be fair, it has been on my mind for a while but I’ve been admittedly very inconsistent with it. Been on and off as I alternated between dairy and soy/almond milk...

Recently, I crossed paths with a group of animal rights activists handing out leaflets, talking to people, etc. Anyway, one of the activists approached me and we talked for a while about a range of things...the dairy industry was one of the topics he brought up.

While he didn’t tell me anything that I didn’t already know, it did act as a prompt for me to get my act together and for me to make some sort of personal commitment in my own head...as opposed to my usual inconsistent “sometimes dairy and sometimes not” tendency. Not because he pressured me or anything like that but it was something that had already been on my mind...

Anyway, I just wanted to share that anecdote with you. In many ways, I do look up to you as a personal reminder for me (and perhaps others too) to do better, be better, and most importantly, to try harder.

Sez: Thank you so very much 🙂 It’s lovely to see you here again. Good on that town for working together on the solar panels. Wonderful community spirit! I think that’s very inspiring.

You help a lot of people, Sez. You generously share your personal experience(s) and learnt wisdom plus deep compassion and caring. We are all very blessed! H x H’s

Pepper xoxo